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Type 73 light machine gun
Photo: National Ground Intelligence Center · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
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Type73lightmachinegun

Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) · North Korea · 1973
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Type73lightmachinegun

Type 73 light machine gun
Type 73 light machine gun Photo: National Ground Intelligence Center · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sustained Firepower
60
Effective Range
55
Accuracy
50
Reliability
75
Portability
70
Ammunition Capacity
40
Barrel Endurance
65
Controllability
60
Versatility
55
Cost-Effectiveness
80
Origin North Korea
CategoryLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)
In service1973
Operators5 countries
Data Quality87%
60
Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) MASS Rating
56/75
All-Time
Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) · 10 axes scored
Sustained Firepower
60
Effective Range
55
Accuracy
50
Reliability
75
Portability
70
Ammunition Capacity
40
Barrel Endurance
65
Controllability
60
Versatility
55
Cost-Effectiveness
80
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the light machine guns (lmg/saw) category.
01 / Overview
Type 73 light machine gun
Production
1973–
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)
—
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
75
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
60
light machine guns (lmg/saw) category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the light machine guns (lmg/saw) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General4MOD.4
  • DesignerFirst Machine Industry Bureau
  • Weight (Empty)10.6 kg
  • Currently In ServiceYes
  • Notable UsersNorth Korea, Iran, Iraq (PMF), Syria, Russia, Houthis, Hezbollah
◈Cartridge & Calibre5MOD.5
▣Operation6MOD.6
◇Ballistics1MOD.1
  • Muzzle Velocity800 m/s
◆Barrel & Sights5MOD.5
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1945First deployment: Cold War
  2. 1973Production started
53
years in service
5
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
TYPE 73 LIGHT MACHINE GUN · CONFLICTS SERVED IN0% win·33% loss
Total Conflicts
3
Victories
0
Ongoing
0
Losses
1
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE5terms
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a separate container (magazine) that can be removed and replaced, enabling rapid reloading.
Firearm action type where expanding gas from a fired cartridge cycles the mechanism, typically via a piston or direct impingement.
Uses high-pressure gas to cycle the action, rather than recoil energy.
Integral bipod: a permanently attached, built‑in bipod that provides a two‑point support for a firearm, allowing it to be rested on a surface without separate accessories.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) entry →